A Little TJ Love and WOOTW #72

Once, late at night, I stood quietly and gazed up at a monument to a great American.

I was a struggling student at the University of Virginia. I was lost, in the process of flunking out. And I was thinking about calling it quits.

But then, standing there in the dark looking up, I thought about how fortunate and blessed I was to be at such a fine school founded by such a great man. By what miracle, I wondered, had a poor, stupid kid like me been admitted this institution? Why was I being allowed to walk these halls? What fate had smiled on me such that I had been born to a father willing to work two jobs so that could go?

And I thought,

“Maybe there’s a reason I was admitted that I don’t know. Maybe I’m more than I think I am. This is an real honor — who am I to disrespect those who gave me this gift by squandering it?”

Free speech is our most important right. Say what you want. But, in my experience, the best way to make an enemy — short of a personal attack or an assault on a loved one — is to disrespect someone’s heroes and ancestors. I’ve written about this before.

And I’m wondering if this is going to stop before increasing polarization tears our country apart.

I for one am not going to allow groups looking for trouble to incite me to extreme positions. I’m refuse to be swayed by agents provocateurs lurking in my friend, family and social media circles. I’m going to keep popping my filter bubble.

I’m going to remain calm and voice my opinion in ways that breed peace, not violence. And I really hope that others will do the same.

And now for the workout of the week.

CABAL FANG WORKOUT OF THE WEEK #72: “Pieces of eight”

The eight movements of the Star of Ishtar. Set up a training arm — a simple stick or pool noodle lashed to a post or heavy bag works great — and spend at least 10 minutes working on the eight self-defense movements in the Star of Ishtar. Don’t know those movements? Either watch the video below or buy the eBook. Want to make a fancier arm? Click here.

As many rounds as you can in 15 mins of: 8 Burpees, 8 Dbl Wide Pushups, 8 Leg Lifts.

Contemplation for 8 minutes. Set a countdown timer for 8 minutes, assume your chose meditative posture, and set quietly. Don’t make war with your thoughts, just let them slowly quiet and still themselves as you approach stillness…